The Brides of Chance Collection

by Kelly Eileen Hake,Cathy Marie Hake,Tracey V. Bateman

  “Let me tell you somethin’ I’ve learned from bein’ around longer than yore pa cain remember.” Miz Willow headed for the door. “Survivin’ ain’t livin’.”

  Bryce looked around. The Trevors, Pleasants, Peasleys, Ruckers, and Clearys had all shown up, along with some faces he recognized but couldn’t put a name to.

  “Looks like we’re about to begin.” Bryce found Logan, who was clanging a cowbell to get everybody’s attention.

  “All right. Looks like everybody made it.” Logan surveyed the crowd with satisfaction. “I’d like to thank you all for comin’ here today to help us raise this barn. I know it’s a bit late in the year, but together we can get this done!” A few calls and whoops of agreement filled the air as he paused.

  “We need the barn for the horses and cattle I’m having brought up. Now that I’ve decided to stay in Salt Lick Holler with my beautiful bride, Hattie.” He stopped to blow Hattie a kiss. She blushed scarlet and motioned for him to continue.

  “I’m fixing to set us up with my share of Chance Ranch. So it seems to me that you fine folks who’re helping us out deserve something in return.” While Logan paused to let that sink in, Bryce marveled at his brother’s dramatic flair.

  “We’re asking the men to divide into teams. We’re building on to the existing barn, so we’ll have three walls. That means three teams. Bryce and I will make up one team— it’s only fair we put up at least one of these walls! That means we need two more. When you have your teams together, Miz Willow will write your names down. First team to construct their wall wins the little mare.” Logan pointed to the pretty brown pony tied to a post. The rest of the animals were grazing in makeshift corrals over the hill. The hastily made fences wouldn’t hold them for too long, but they wouldn’t have to after today.

  Murmurs of surprise and excitement filled the air as people sought out friends to form teams.

  “We’ve got a team right here, Logan!” Ed Trevor waved his hammer in the air. “Me, m’ boys, and their uncle Asa.” He turned to the crowd. “And we aim to win that pony!”

  “Not if we have anything to say about it!” Nate Rucker called out the names of the men on his team.

  “All right then. Otis Nye’ll be our judge. Watch yourselves. He’s got the keenest eyes in the holler.” Logan set out the rules, listed the dimensions of the walls, and explained how the lumber had already been divided. “Everybody ready? Let’s go!” The race was on. Bryce grabbed a bag of nails and strode up to Daisy.

  “Our team’s a bit short on manpower. How ’bout if you let Jamie here hold our tools for us so we can get to them real fast?

  “Shore thang.” Daisy set Jamie down on a small patch of grass just outside of the range of swinging lumber. She sat down next to him and arranged the drills, saws, hammers, and such in front of them where it would be easy for Bryce and Logan to see them. “Thanks, buddy.” Bryce winked at Jamie and Daisy and ran to help Logan heft the lumber. They were already behind, but that didn’t matter. He didn’t aim to win this race.

  I don’t want the pony. Bryce glanced over at Daisy and Jamie. I’ve got my eyes on a sweet little filly who’s a much finer prize. Too bad she’s so dead set on running the other way.

  “And the winner is…,” Otis Nye bellowed grandly, “team two! Ed, Ted, Fred, and Asa win the pony!”

  “Yea!” Ted jumped in the air while Fred whooped. The rest of the men grumbled good-naturedly and threw a few overblown glowers toward the winners.

  “That don’t mean yore done, men!” Otis squawked. “Everybody get back to work!”

  Ted and Fred joined Logan and Bryce, who lagged far behind, in part because it was just the two of them but also because they’d taken on the wall with the door, which made things more complicated. With the extra help, they began to catch up. The twins proved to be nimble climbers and swift workers as they poured all their considerable energy into the task at hand.

  The scent of fresh sawdust coated the air as hammers rang and saws scraped. Men yelled back and forth for whatever they happened to need at the moment. Occasional “ows” punctuated the rhythm of hard work. The women drifted around the work site with fresh water to drink and cool rags to mop overheated brows.

  “Nails.” Bryce took the small pouch from Jamie’s hand and traded him an empty one. Daisy filled the small pouches so Jamie didn’t ever touch the sharp points of the nails. “Thanks, buddy. We make a good team.”

  He rushed back to lift a heavy piece of timber with Logan. They’d nearly finished constructing the bents; now they’d need to raise the skeleton of the wall. He looped a strong rope around the topmost bar while Logan did the same. The twins were ready with the long, spiked stockades to brace the fledgling structure while Logan and Bryce pulled it upright.

  His muscles strained at the weight. If this barn were any bigger, he and Logan couldn’t have raised this wall even with the twins’ assistance. Nate Rucker ambled over and grabbed an extra rope Bryce had thought to tie in case one gave way. With the help of the burly blacksmith, the frame rose far more quickly.

  “Thanks, Nate.” Bryce grinned at the enormous man, affectionately called “Li’l Nate” because his father, the blacksmith of the holler before him, was “Big Nate.” Bryce had been in the holler for just a few days when Li’l Nate’s wife, Abigail, bore him a son. Bitty Nate looked to be taking after his pa already.

  “Any time,” Nate grunted, holding tight while others rushed over to help secure the frame. Finally, they could let go.

  Bryce gave a mighty stretch to work out the kinks. He took a few deep breaths, fanning himself with his hat.

  “Have some water.” Daisy’s voice floated to his ears as she walked toward him.

  “Much obliged.” Bryce took the cool drink and downed it in three gulps. “Ah. That’s better.”

  “I cain get some more,” she offered. “Yore working terrible fast.”

  “I’m fine.” He grinned at her. She’s been watching me. The thought took his mind off his weary muscles.

  “I wanted to thank you.” Daisy leaned close enough that he could smell the fancy soap she used. “For includin’ Jamie. It meant a lot that he got to holp the men instead of only watching.”

  “And help us he did. You, too. Having everything at the ready made things that much easier.” Bryce slapped his hat back on his head and tipped the brim toward her. “I’ve got to get back to work. We’ve got to get the rafters up before dinner, and I’m mighty hungry.”

  “You always are!” Daisy’s laugh followed him as he joined the other men.

  Daisy got some more water and brought it to Jamie. She tipped the cup to his lips. Usually he could do it, but today he’d already used a lot of his strength. She wiped his chin and cuddled him close.

  She knew he was tired but didn’t press him. He wouldn’t doze off until after the rafters had been raised and he had a belly full of lunch. Daisy hummed softly as she ran her fingers through his soft blond hair, so like his father’s.

  She raised her head to see Miz Willow watching her. A surge of anger at the old woman’s scolding welled up.

  How dare she criticize the way I behave! Daisy stewed. I know I’m beholden to her for her hospitality, but I don’t intend for it to be permanent. Does sharing her home give her the right to berate me for nothing? I don’t cut myself off from others. I’ve established a friendship with Bryce, haven’t I?

  Only in spite of yourself. Daisy didn’t like the niggling voice in the back of her mind, but the tiny seeds of guilt wouldn’t rest. You didn’t reach out to Bryce until he was kind to Jamie. Even then, you accused him of cruelty not in his nature. If the friendship has grown, it is not due to yore tender care in nurturing it. Miz Willow said those things to open yore eyes, not to hurt you.

  Well, she did hurt me. And if she feels that I’m so difficult, it’s all the better that I’ve taken Logan up on his offer to sell my lace. His deal puts far more money in my pocket. The more I save, the sooner I cain leave the old wom
an’s charity, and me and Jamie cain get on with our lives.

  I’ve wasted too much time already. After the fire, we spent two days searching the rubble before moving here. Sewing new clothes was necessary but cost me a lot of time, and holping with that behemoth of a stove ate up still more time. I need to focus on the important things. How am I going to put a roof over Jamie’s head and food in his mouth? By making lace. That’s how I should be spending my time. Her resolve strengthened, Daisy vowed to work more quickly.

  While she’d been lost in thought, the men had finished putting up half of the rafters. The noontime hour had passed, so when the skeleton of the barn was up and ready, everyone would break for dinner.

  “Mama’s gonna go set out the food,” Daisy told Jamie. “I want you to stay right here where I cain see you, okay?”

  “ ’Kay, Ma.” He nodded, happy to be watching everything around him.

  Daisy walked over to the cabin and began carrying out dish after covered dish. They hadn’t set it all outside before now, so the sun wouldn’t spoil the food and insects wouldn’t swarm around the tables. Logan and Bryce had constructed two huge tables and numerous benches in preparation for the day.

  Daisy, Hattie, Silk Trevor, and a few other women scurried back and forth while Miz Willow passed them dishes. Before long, the first table groaned beneath the weight of sliced ham, a pot roast, two chickens, rabbit stew, egg salad, vegetable salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, steamed carrots, and hunks of cheese. Baked goods filled the second table to bursting. Bread, rolls, biscuits, corn bread, pies, coffee cake, and cobbler spread in a tantalizing profusion.

  Logan called for silence before blessing the meal.

  “We’re going to take a minute to thank the Lord for the food and friends gathered today.

  “Lord, I thank You for each person here today. Every one of them has things they need to be attending to, but they’ve taken the time to come and help me and Hattie and Miz Willow build a bigger barn. Thank You for the food on the tables. We ask that You bless it so we have the strength to finish our work today. You’ve provided graciously for us, and we ask You to shed Your blessings on the people here today. In Your name. Amen.”

  The smell of savory meat mixed with the earthy fragrance of baked cinnamon as the men gathered around to fill their plates. Daisy couldn’t remember ever seeing so much food, much less watching it all disappear so quickly. After the men hunkered down, their plates piled high with food, the women and children swarmed around the tables.

  “Here, Jamie.” Daisy returned to find Bryce sitting with her son. Jamie nibbled on a chicken leg while Bryce attacked a mound of mashed potatoes. Daisy sat down and put Jamie’s plate in easy reach. “How’re them taters, Bryce?”

  “Good.” Bryce barely stopped eating long enough to grunt his approval.

  “ ’Ood.” Jamie nodded, waving his piece of chicken.

  Daisy’s heart twisted. Jamie used to copycat me like that. Now he’s apin’ Bryce. Lord, why do I feel as though that’s a loss? Bryce has become so important to my son, but he’ll be gone all too soon. What am I to do?

  Chapter 14

  I’ve put the axes and saws in the back of the wagon.” Logan sauntered into the cabin two days later and tried to peek in the lunch basket the women had packed.

  Daisy chuckled when Hattie swatted his hand away.

  “I have the horses hitched.” Bryce came in behind his brother. “What’s the holdup? We’ve got to get going if we’re going to chop enough before dark.”

  “Here you go.” Daisy handed the basket to Bryce while Logan wolfed down a leftover biscuit.

  “Thanks, Daisy.” Bryce’s rugged smile made it difficult for Daisy not to stare.

  “Yore welcome.” She stepped back. “A man needs plenty in his belly so’s he cain get a lot done.”

  “Me man!” Jamie scooched over and jabbed his chest. “I go?”

  No. Not a chance. Not even with two Chances. They’ll be fellin’ deadwood—ain’t safe for any child, much less my son! Jist the thought of that two-man saw makes me wanna hold Jamie close and never let him go.

  Daisy bit back the words, knowing how hurt Jamie would be if she explained it like that. She scrambled to concoct a reason to refuse.

  “Of course you’re a man,” Logan proclaimed.

  Oh no. He’s going to say yes. Logan’ll let Jamie tag along, and then summat terrible’ll happen. Daisy chewed the inside of her lip. A deadwood branch cain fall, a blade might be left unattended, a shift in the wind so a felled tree goes the wrong way…And I cain’t think up an excuse to tell them all no. What do I do? I cain’t let him go!

  She saw Bryce bending over to talk to Jamie. No, Bryce! You’ve let Jamie do so many things already. I was wrong about the eggs and the leaves but not this. Don’t take Jamie where he cain’t be safe. You must have the sense to know this won’t end well. Don’t make me let loose the words that will shame my son afore you and yore brother.

  “Not today, buddy.”

  Thankee, Bryce. Daisy took a calming breath. Jamie’ll be safe. I was so worried.

  Bryce squatted down to look Jamie in the eye. “We need you to stay here and keep watch on things for us. We’re chopping enough wood to fill the whole wagon before we bring it back. The pieces’ll be so long.” He spread his arms wide. “We’ll have to make ’em smaller tomorrow. Then you’ll be right there with us. Fair enough?”

  More than fair. You found a way to protect my son and still make him part of the task.

  “ ’Kay.” Jamie puffed out his chest. “ ’Morra I holp.”

  “But today yore going to holp yore mama!” Daisy gathered him in her arms. “We’ve got lots of thangs to get done afore Logan and Bryce come back!” She smiled at Bryce, hoping he understood that she meant to thank him for protecting Jamie but not treating him like a baby. He was so good with her and Jamie. Yep. Bryce Chance jist has a way of makin’ a body feel special.

  Bryce pitched a forkful of hay into one of the new stalls. Logan was setting up tack.

  “I think we should keep the cattle in the old half and the horses in the new,” Bryce planned aloud.

  “Makes sense to have the horses on hand,” Logan agreed. “Seemed like everyone I talked with is preparing for a rough winter.”

  “Heard about Otis Nye’s bones, did you?” Bryce grinned.

  “And how spring came early.” Logan grabbed a pitchfork and started spreading hay around. They’d transfer the animals the next day. “Ed Trevor mentioned something about the hounds having thick coats.”

  “I heard the same thing. That reminds me.” Bryce leaned on his pitchfork. “After we get the animals settled in tomorrow morning, I need to go to the Trevor place. Has a runt no one’s spoken for. All the others have homes lined up.”

  Logan shrugged. “If it’s made it this long, I think it’s got a good chance of growing.”

  “Not with winter coming on fast.” Bryce shook his head. “He won’t have enough meat on his bones to get through the cold.”

  “That’s rough,” Logan commiserated. “How did it happen that Ed got in such a late litter?”

  “Happens sometimes.” Bryce thought a moment. “Ed said something about her being one of his older breeders.”

  “What are you going to do with the pup?” Logan asked.

  “I won’t know until I see it. Might be it just needs some extra attention and some cow’s milk to fatten it up. It’s worked before. Ed has too many dogs to spend that much time on a runt. Maybe I can take it off his hands.”

  “Oh?”

  Something about Logan’s tone raised Bryce’s hackles. “You got something to say?”

  “How are you going to manage a pup on your five-day, cross-country train trek?” Logan drummed his fingers against one of the new walls.

  “Might be a bit of a problem,” Bryce admitted.

  “You could stay through the winter.” Logan got the words out in a rush.

  “I’ve been away from the ranch for s
ix months already. You want me to sleep out in the barn through a mountain winter?”

  “I have it on good authority that this is a mighty fine barn! You could use the tack room so the smell won’t get to you. We both know that the animals will put off enough heat to keep the place warm.”

  “For the sake of a little dog?” Bryce shook his head. “You can feed the thing without me.”

  “I was thinking you might have other reasons to stay.” Logan waggled his brows. “I saw you eating lunch with Daisy the other day. She’s a fine woman.”

  “Yes, she is.” Bryce set to work again and avoided his brother’s piercing gaze. “But that doesn’t amount to a hill o’ beans. She’s dead set on rebuilding the home and life she and her son lost. Even if I stayed the winter, I would eventually go back to Chance Ranch. Daisy’s already lost too much to give up anything more.”

  “I see you’ve given this some thought, but did you think about all she stands to gain? You two seem to enjoy each other’s company, and you get on well with Jamie.”

  “He’s a great kid.” Bryce chewed the inside of his cheek. “But I can’t leave Chance Ranch shorthanded this winter to pursue a woman who has other plans.”

  “Are you so sure she wouldn’t give up those plans?”

  “She’s a good friend, Logan, but she’s a mother first,” Bryce tried to explain. “Jamie’s welfare is the only thing she’s interested in.”

  “So how come she smiles at you like that and brings you water and makes sure we have something for dessert every night, if it’s not because she likes you and noticed your sweet tooth?”

  “She’s a thoughtful woman.” Bryce tried not to let Logan’s words sink in. False hopes never made a man anything but wrong.

  “Hattie’s of the opinion that Daisy’s thinking, all right.” Logan paused meaningfully. “On you.”

  “You talked to Hattie about this?” Bryce practically bellowed the words.